Definition

Access mediation is the process of examining and controlling signaling traffic between networks, resources and users by filtering Signaling System 7 (SS7) traffic. This process enables carriers to inspect the syntax and content of every signaling message entering or exiting the network. Each message is checked against the carrier's operations policy to determine whether to permit, deny and/or modify the message traffic. Access mediation devices are typically used to mitigate the risks associated with widespread interconnection and network convergence by providing revenue assurance, fraud prevention, and advanced signaling security.

Overview

The telecommunications market has changed dramatically since the SS7 network's inception. Deregulation and convergence have moved the industry beyond a relatively small group of carriers and equipment manufacturers. Now there are thousands of SS7 nodes connecting a wide variety of carriers across the globe. This pervasive interconnection has also introduced newer and more powerful technologies that don't always meet the existing telephone provider's reliability and certification standards. Growing demand for nontraditional services running on the SS7 network continues to make access that's not regulated even more commonplace. These changing market dynamics have left the door open to an inadvertent or malicious disruption, phantom/misrouted call abuse, and fraud-catalyzing the need for an access mediation device to mitigate these risks.

This tutorial will take its readers through the concept of access mediation and explain how it can be applied to help carriers regain control of their signaling networks.

Topics
1. Historical Perspective
2. The Role of Access Mediation
3. System Requirements
4. Technological Benefits
5. Application Scenarios
6. Conclusion